Alonzo facing limited challenge in Dallas City Council District 6 race

If it comes down to campaign financing and political presence, Monica Alonzo will be a shoo-in for a second term on the Dallas City Council.

She has reported $35,275 in campaign contributions and about half of that amount in expenses this year. One of her two opponents, Ozumba Lnuk-X, has reported no election funding. The other, Sixto Raymond Salinas, hasn’t filed the required form with the city.

And while Alonzo carries on representing District 6, Lnuk-X says he’s not counting on victory on May 11.

“Whether or not I win, it won’t bother me,” he said during a rambling interview Tuesday about corruption, groundwater, God, Satan, money, air, food and more.

“We’re living in bad times,” said Lnuk-X, 66, a regular railer before the City Council.

Salinas, 45, couldn’t be reached to talk about his candidacy. The telephone number listed on his election application wasn’t in service. He did not respond to an interview request left with his mother.

The 48-year-old incumbent, Alonzo, said she wants to improve communication and cooperation among West Dallas residents. She talked of helping them advocate for improved city services and schools.

She said a rezoning last year that limited residential building heights is a good start toward preserving the modest La Bajada neighborhood near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.

She said her priorities include improving public safety and advancing economic development in her district and the city at large.

Focal points are the Asian retail district along Harry Hines Boulevard in the northern part of her district, the potential for mixed-use projects near DART train stations and a plan in the works to expand and upgrade the Lakewest shopping center in West Dallas.

Alonzo’s predominantly Hispanic district has newly redrawn boundaries that stretch from north of the LBJ Freeway into Oak Cliff south of Interstate 30. Both the new and old versions of the district include three sites where Trinity East Energy wants to drill on city land for natural gas.

The City Plan Commission rejected Trinity East’s request for permits, sending the matter to the City Council for a final decision. Because of the commission’s opposition, Trinity East needs a supermajority of 12 council votes.

Alonzo said Tuesday that she would not support the permits and opposes drilling anywhere in the city.

She also said she backs the voter-approved but largely unfunded Trinity Parkway, which would have a presence in District 6.

Two years ago, Alonzo defeated West Dallas community activist Luis Sepulveda in a race that drew the fewest voters among the city’s 14 council districts. She won 635 votes to 402.

A sister of state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, she has been a relatively quiet presence on the council.

“I like to listen and understand,” she said, insisting, “I am active.”

Her tenure has been a “learning experience,” one she hopes to build on. “I’m asking voters for the opportunity to help them.”

Alonzo tried to help calm tensions in September when two factions of La Bajada residents gathered at the Bataan Center.

“Let’s be cordial. One person at a time,” she urged the packed house during a break in outbursts, after energetically addressing the crowd in Spanish.

Earlier, a frowning Sixto Raymond Salinas had told the crowd that police officers, on hand for a crime watch meeting, “will escort you out the door” for unruly behavior.

Salinas, a former Dallas school security officer, has presented himself as president of the La Bajada association. But a member of the group’s board says he was voted out of office because of a conflict of interest. He disputes that action.

Until filing for the council election, Salinas worked in security at Trinity Groves, the food and entertainment complex taking shape next to La Bajada.

Some neighborhood residents fear encroachment by developers. The Trinity Groves owners have said they want to help La Bajada, not buy land there.

And until his election filing, Salinas served for a year on the Fort Worth Avenue Tax Increment Financing District board.

Monica Alonzo appointed him to the post. A district staff member said he was an active participant in the two of four meetings he attended.

AT A GLANCE

Monica Alonzo

Age: 48

Birthplace: Crystal City

Occupation: Dallas City Council member

Education: Attended the University of Texas at Austin

Political experience: Completing first term on the council

Career: Political campaign coordinator and community volunteer

Website: www.monicaalonzo.com

COMPARE candidates in the May 11 municipal and ISD elections. dallasnews.com/localvoterguide

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